Category: Countries

  • Day 9: Tatouan to Rabat

    The bike needed a bit of maintenance this morning. The oil level was getting a little low as was the coolant; this is normal. Also one of the headlight bulbs had blown taking out the fuse with it: all easily fixed with the spares I am carrying.

    The ride was fantastic, especially the beginning through very deep valleys with Farm covered slopes reaching up to near the summits. Through the day the land got flatter until I reached the Atlantic Coast where there were miles of flat plains.

    What did I learn today about Morocco? The mule is the main source of transport (people and goods) for many people. In the hills it is mainly subsistance farming. Old Mercedes cars never die, they retire in Morocco.

    I am sat by my tent looking up at the stars and listening to the beautiful sounds of the call to prayer at the local mosque.

    Tomorrow I have been invited to breakfast with Ellie and Bob, two well seasoned brit travellers who Bob says are on the run from the old Bill. They seem a really nice couple and real Yorkshire tea and pancakes cannot be refused. Later I go into Rabat to get some visas.

    Ps

    Yesterday’s blog and photos to follow when I can find a Wifi hotspot.

  • Day 7: Madrid to the Med

    Distance: 620km, Start: Madrid, End: Calahonda between Malaga and Marbella, Spain

    Another big mileage day today. It started with long flat straight motorways through farmland growing every kind of crop. Surrounding the plains were mountains and no sooner was I in them, the olive trees began. And they went on, and on, and on, and… you get the idea.

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  • Day 6: Madrid

    Distance: 20km, Start: Madrid, End: Madrid

    The only travelling today was from my hotel to the centre of Madrid and back. I spent most of the morning in Parque del Retiro which is a massive 19th century park with a big boating lake, a crystal palace and a modern art gallery.

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  • Day 5: Through the Heart of Spain

    Distance: 450km, Start Pamplona, Spain, End: Madrid, Spain
    This morning I thought I left in good time but i didn’t realise until later the clocks had gone forward so I lost an hour.
    Initially I set my Satnav to Salamanca avoiding motorways, my intention was to go via Portugal, a place I have never been. After about an hour of depressing sights of closed businesses and decay all the while following alongside an empty motorway (it is Sunday), I reassessed what I was going to do. I decided riding around Spain and Portugal is something I can do in future, this trip is about Africa so why am I going via Portugal? If in future I circumnavigate Spain, going through the middle is a good plan for now. So that’s what I am doing. I reset the Satnav to Madrid using motorways and here I am.

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  • Day 4: Vinyards to Mountains

    Distance: 340km, Start: Bordeaux, France, End: Pamplona, Spain

    Yesterday after leaving the ferry I forgot the bike maintenance checks so last night I wrote a check list. The people looking through the dining area window seemed impressed as they watched me going through the list, checking fluids, adjusting chain, checking tyres… They did not seem so impressed when the bike promptly fell over when I tried too drive away. Note to myself.. add “remove disk lock” to my list. Also remember not to panic if engine fails to start after dropping the bike… it is probably still in gear. In case anyone missed my embarrassment I accidentally pressed the horn as I lifted the bike.

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  • Day 3: A big push South through France

    Distance: 640km, Start: Caens, France, End: Bordeaux, France.
    I had a massive push today to get through France and down to the warmer weather.

    A big thank you to all the people I met today on the boat and at service areas who stopped to chat and wish me luck.

    It was all on motorways today and although the rain stayed away, there was enough of a drissle to make me stop and put on waterproofs. I was definitely ready to stop when I arrived in Bordeaux and made straight for the first hotel. It is VERY basic but the room is clean.
    I always planned to do a long day today, I have ridden and driven through France lots of times before so I do not want to waste time. I plan to cross into Spain tomorrow when i will slow down and start avoiding motorways when I can.

  • Day 2: Isle of Wight and ferry to France

    Distance: 40km, Start Southampton, end Porstmouth.
    I had a great day today with Amy and the boys. We took the ferry from Southampton to the Isle of Wight and back.

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    This afternoon we went to my daughter Gemmas house and had a great time with my grandson Timothy in the garden.

    I am now on the ferry from Portsmouth to Caen in France. Very tired.

  • Day 1: The Journey Begins

    Start: West Wales, End: Southampton, Distance: 240 miles. One refuel: £17.41

    After a year of planning I am finally on my way to Cape Town. The journey was mostly along motorways and the weather was kind to me with no rain. The bike was a little twitchy at the front end at low speeds but felt really good at high speeds. Totally the opposite of the unloaded bike. The shift in the centre of gravity from high in the middle to lower and further back is the cause. This evening i went to visit my old Scout group the 14th Eastleigh. It was great to see faces I have not seen for many years and to explain about the trip to the Cubs.

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  • Draiglas Explorer Scouts

    One of the objectives I have set myself is to meet with as many Scouts as I can along the way.  It is only fitting that first on the list is my local Explorer Scout unit here in Teifi district, Ceredigion

    I have heard from several Scouts in Africa now including The Gambia, Morocco and Ghana. I hope to meet them all.

  • 24 Hours to Go

    Final day at home so I have been packing and repacking the bike.
    I have finally found a configuration that works and is as balanced as I can make it.

    The spare tyres were a big problem and at one stage I decided to leave them
    behind.  But I eventuality decided it was worth the hassle for a week or two through Europe. I will probably change them in Southern Morocco.

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